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EventSAA takes over the South-West African Airways (SWAA)
A year after its establshment, South African Airways (SAA), took over South-West African Airways (SWAA), which had since 1932 been providing a weekly air-mail…
EventThe United Party is formed
The United South African National Party, also known as the United Party, was officially formed after a merger between the National Party, under the leadership…
EventItaly invades Ethiopia
Benito Mussolini determined to establish an Italian empire and to avenge Italy's defeat in 1896 at Adwa by the Eritreans invades Eritrea. A border clash at…
EventRonald Harwood , Oscar winning screenwriter, is born in Cape Town, South Africa
Born Ronald Horwitz in in 1934, he moved to from South Africa to London in 1951 to pursue a career in the theater. He changed his name to Harwood after an…
EventKader Asmal, political activist and future Member of Parliament, is born
Kader Asmal political activist, human rights lawyer, former Minister of Education (1999-2004) and of Water Affairs and Forestry (1994-1999); is born in Stanger…
EventA national congress, under auspices of the Dutch Reformed Church, meets to discuss the ‘poor White problem’
The 'poor White problem' or the Armblankevraagstuk as it was referred to in Afrikaans, was a significant political issue in South Africa in the late 19th…
EventWinnie Madikizela-Mandela, former wife of President Nelson Mandela, is born
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former wife of President Nelson Mandela, is born in Bizana, Pondoland. Madikizela-Mandela was a staunch opponent of P W Botha's…
EventWole Soyinka is born
The Nigerian, novelist, playwright and poet, Wole Soyinka, was born at Abeokuta, near Ibadan in western Nigeria. Soyinka became the first African to receive…
EventProf. Sibusiso Emmanuel Bengu is born
The first national minister of education in South Africa's Government of National Unity (GNU), Prof. Sibusiso Mandlenkosi Emmanuel Bengu was born in Kranskop,…
Artist Bill Ainslie is born
William Stewart (Bill) Ainslie, South African artist and founder of several art training projects, was born in Bedford, Eastern Cape as a descendent of an…
EventDonald James Wood journalist and Anti apartheid activists is born
Donald James Woods was born in Elliotdale, Transkei on 15 December 1933. He was educated at Christian Brothers College in Kimberley. After completing his…
Mahatma Gandhi is released from Indian jail
EventDr Stanley Mogoba is born in Polokwane
Dr. Stanley Mogoba, future president of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in 1997, was born in Polokwane on this day. He was detained on Robben Island during…
EventHertzog and Smuts to form a coalition
Nationalists were stunned by the announcement of seven points according to which Gen. J.B.M. Hertzog was willing to cooperate with Gen. J.C. Smuts to form a…
EventAlbert Nzula dies in Moscow
Albert Nzula, teacher, journalist and leader of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), died of pneumonia in Moscow, USSR. He left SA in 1931 to study in…
EventMapungubwe is ‘discovered’
The ancient city of Mapungubwe (meaning 'hill of the jackal') is an Iron Age archaeological site in the Limpopo Province. It is on the border between South…
EventSouth Africa abandons the Gold Standard, sparking a period of economic expansion
As the Great Depression set in, many countries (including Great Britain) abandoned their gold standard and devaluated their currencies. South Africa, however, …
EventSA experiences a monetary crisis due to the heavy drain of gold from the country during the Great Depression
The Great Depression had a profound effect on economies around the world and South Africa was no exception. South Africa's greatest exports at the time were in…
EventAmy Johnson, a female aviator, lands in Cape Town in record time
Amy Johnson obtained her pilot's license from the London Aeroplane Club in 1929. After purchasing a second-hand aircraft, she made history by becoming the…
EventLuc Montagnier, virologist who discovered the human immunodeficiency virus, is born
On 18 August 1932, Luc Montagnier was born in Chabris, France. He studied natural sciences at the University of Poitiers and received his license of sciences…
EventC.J. Langenhoven dies in Oudtshoorn
Cornelis Jacob Langenhoven, SA author and writer of the words of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa), died at his home 'Arbeidsgenot' in…
EventDr Louis Luyt is born
Dr Louis Luyt , SA entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, former president of the SA Rugby Football Union and politician, was born in Britstown, Cape Province…
EventPik Botha is born
Roelof Frederik "Pik" Botha, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of President F.W. de Klerk was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West…
EventNovelist and poet Kgadime Matsepe is born
Kgadime Oliver (Phukubjane) Matsepe, Northern Sotho novelist and poet, is born in Magagamatala (Brakfontein or Mmitse), Groblersdal district. He was twice…
EventSculptor Lucas Sithole is born in KwaThema
Lucas Sithole, renowned South African sculptor, was born in KwaThema, Springs, Transvaal (now Gauteng) to a Zulu father and a Swazi mother. He created more…
EventPretoria receives city status
On 14 October 1931, Pretoria achieved official city status. The city was established in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, a leader of the Voortrekkers who named it…
EventArchbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal
Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu, former…
EventHendrik Jacobus Coetsee is born
Jacobus "Kobie" Coetsee, former minister of justice in the government of F.W De Klerk, was born in Ladybrand, Orange Free State. Both his parents were members…
South African veteran journalist and author Doc Bikitsha is born
EventPolitical activist Molly Blackburn is born
Political activist and civil rights campaigner Molly Blackburn, widely respected by Blacks, was born in Port Elizabeth. In 1981 she started her political…